Page 122 of Viktor

“Rafe. The wolf. Viktor called you,” Greyson reminded him.

“Yeah, I know he did. I didn’t agree,” Julian told him, staring straight ahead.

“Rafe’s a wolf. You’re a wolf. You know how this works. Do your part now. He’s going to be here soon.” Greyson tapped on the bar.

“Yeah, not my problem. I’m not pack.”

“Rafe belongs to Hunter. You know…Willa’s mate. Your sister. That should mean something.” Greyson looked past Julian, checking out a couple of women playing pool.

“Yeah, I’m not in his pack either. I love my sister but it’s none of my business. I’m rogue. I’m not my father. That life isn’t for me.” Greyson looked up at the flat screen TV, watching the hockey game.

“Look, I hear you got daddy issues. Don’t we all, but you’ve gotta help the kid. He’s uh, he’s had a rough go of it.”

“Yeah, so have I. I’m telling you that I’m not your guy. Find someone else,” Julian insisted.

“I wasn’t planning on going there, but it sounds like my brother did you a solid. Rescued your ass from Hell. You owe him.”

“I wasn’t in Hell. I was somewhere…but I don’t know where. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’ve got my own problems.”

“Wherever you were, I heard Vik got you out. So, I’m gonna need you to do this. I know whatever happened to you must’ve been bad, there’s got to be something good left in you.”

“This isn’t a good idea,” Julian warned.

“Maybe you’re right.” Greyson stared at him “But you’re a helluva lot better than Ilsbeth. Because you know the kid might have a little of that old black magick in him too.”

“Just because I’ve got some in me…just because I’m rogue, that doesn’t mean I’m the best guy for the job.”

“You’re the guy. Viktor trusts you. Hunter trusts you.”

Julian released an audible sigh and set his focus on Greyson. His palm came down hard onto the edge of the bar, loud enough to draw the attention of a few patrons. “Fuck, I can’t believe I’m saying this.”

“You’ll do it?”

“Yeah, yeah. I don’t want to do it, but I’ll do it.”

“Good deal.” Greyson smiled and signaled the bartender. “Two tequilas please.”

“On one condition.” Julian turned to him. “You stay. Be available. I’m not dealing with vamp shit.”

“You know I’m in the middle of a renovation. Castle in Romania. Cool shit. I don’t have time to stay here in Idaho.” He looked around, laughed and popped a pretzel into his mouth, continuing to talk as he chewed it. “My days in dive bars are over, my friend.”

“We’ve got some killer golf courses.” Julian raised an eyebrow at Greyson.

“Goddammit, now.”

The corner of Julian’s mouth ticked upward. “I’m friends with a guy.”

“A guy, huh?”

“He plays professional. Has the best tips around.”

“You don’t fuckin’ say.” Greyson picked up a shot glass and handed it to Julian. He toasted with his other hand. “I’ll give you a few weeks, then I’m out. The wolf’s not my problem, but I don’t want anything bad happening to him.”

“I can’t promise that. I can only give him a taste of being rogue. He may still choose pack.”

“We just gotta train him and keep him alive. My brother seems to have faith in you. Must be that sister of yours.”

“Yeah, Willa’s got a way of doing that to people.” Julian gave a closed smile.